A town fell silent as dozens of people turned out to remember others during a poignant service.
People turned out to pay respects on Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Near to where hundreds of young Jewish refugees had arrived in 1938, the people of Lowestoft gathered during a special ceremony to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
The annual service of remembrance was held inside The Parcels Office at Lowestoft Railway Station on Saturday.
The event, organised by Lowestoft Town Council, reflected upon the town's role in the 'kindertransport' program, while millions of people who died in the Holocaust, and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur were remembered.
With the theme of this year's event being ‘Fragility of Freedom’, the commemorative service also marked the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
MP Peter Aldous at the Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 event in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
The mayor of Lowestoft, Sonia Barker, welcomed attendees before a series of reflective words from MP Peter Aldous and Lowestoft town councillors Wendy Brooks and Andy Pearce.
Lowestoft town councillor Wendy Brooks at the Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 event in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Lowestoft town councillor Andy Pearce at the Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 event in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
The service also featured poems and readings from high school students at Benjamin Britten Music Academy, Ormiston Denes Academy, East Point Academy and Pakefield High School in Lowestoft.
Students from Benjamin Britten Music Academy at Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Student from Ormiston Denes Academy at Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Student from East Point Academy at Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
Students from Pakefield High School at Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
There was a poignant address by Professor Lawrence Goldman, Emeritus Fellow in History at St Peter’s College in Oxford, who led the reflection and prayers following a minute’s silence.
Professor Lawrence Goldman at Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
The service then moved outside as wreaths were laid by the mayor and students of the attending schools at the Kindertransport plaque at the station.
Wreaths are laid at Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
A town council spokesman said: "Saturday’s Holocaust Remembrance ceremony was marked by a number of speakers.
"The poignant occasion saw a large number of people listen and take part in the ceremony at the railway station – and Lowestoft Town Council would like to give thanks to all of those who attended, took part and helped make it such a significant occasion."
Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)
The event at Greater Anglia's Lowestoft station was held at The Parcels Office with kind permission from the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and the Lowestoft Central Project.
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